Kadambari Singh's Blog

Anxious People...The most talked about book of 2021 and one I started in 2021 but finished it in 2022. Anxious people is a treat!
I wanted to read this because of the chatter that was going on around...where I tried not to hear any discussions because the title was intriguing enough to make me want to read it. And I never go by the reviews be it anything...I kind of tend to form perceptions soon.. and hence I sometimes like to call myself 'the most influenced'.
This is the first time I read a Backman too and man! I am in love with this man's writing style. The way the story enfolds, every character and their characteristics. The little details he mentions and the little things he specifically misses out just to make the story ever more interesting. And I will like to believe to keep the reader guessing and forming own perceptions and conclusions.
I am a romantic genre geek and hence I don't have any favourite characters from this book, despite the book being full of love. All the characters are intertwined by not just what is happening but what once happened too and it is fascinating to read such a story...with every chapter unfolding another revelation or just another one's guess coming true at times.
As Alex Schulman said to Backman...how it can feel when a text completely floors you...this is what this book made me feel....Complete...wholesome, after reading it.
I will just finish it off saying…this book will tell you something about you too.



Image source: Goodreads

Happy New Year!!
And happier to have a new notebook to write my new goals...yay!!
I have always been in love with fresh new notebooks, journals, diaries...the fragrance is what keeps me lingering onto them for long.
So 2022 is the first year I set out to do this entire process of goal setting and breaking it down into bits of actionable tasks, distributed over the entire year to do. In short...a TO-DO list ...another thing I love to make..made out in advance.
Reading and writing have been two of my constants since the past couple of years. I have had this blog for long...yeah never consistent blogger though...and have a writing personal blog on Instagram
I always want to write but somehow the day job and mindless scrolling takes over sitting and writing.
Reading...something I have pursued from childhood but again with the "adulting" is lost somewhere. I have been setting a TBR target on goodreads for 2 years now but never touched the half either.
But this year has to be different.
So to be an responsible adult, I have decided that I'll achieve all of my Goals for 2022!
Starting with...re-starting my blog website.
As someone wise once said to me - "If you are not reading and writing...then what's the difference between you and an illiterate".
So I Have taken up the challenge to read 24 books for the year 2022.
And for writing...I will be writing about each of these books on my blog. No it is not going to be a review of these books..but what I learned, what I felt on reading that book.
Already running a bit behind the schedule but not the least in spirits.
Book 1 - Anxious People by Fredrick Backman
Cheers 2022!!

 

So I got this book in 2017 because I loved the title and since then have tried 5 times to read it. The first 4 times I just couldn’t get past chapter 3. While purchasing it I thought its Lilly Singh’s autobiography but it is actually a self-help book. This is a beautiful book like literally...bigger font, glossy pages, cool pictures of lilly Singh and cute caricatures and one of the reason why I decided on giving it a final try in 2021 before I DNF it for-forever.

And to my surprise I liked this book almost like a second best to my favourite self-help – The power of habit by Charles Duhigg.

Maybe previously I was not in the frame of mind to relate to what was written and now when I have connected with the content I know this one is a gem to treasure and read as and when I feel the need.

Lilly has written it in a simple, easy going language, using examples from her life as well as what life throws at all of us. The book is quite motivating. And Lilly with her anecdotes is so action-inspiring.

The book is divided into 4 parts of a total of 50 chapters of life lessons that Lilly learned on in her journey. The book also has some exercises that one can fill out as one progress hence putting what one learns into action there and then.

This book shows one a different perspective of thinking and seeing things. And to apply the new found observation and thought to life situations and ourselves.

There are several pointers which if thought of daily can revolutionize one’s life. Some that I remember very strikingly are -

1.       Self control

2.       Know yourself deep down and clean

3.       Accept yourself.

4.       Be driven by goals not emotions

5.       Take ownership

6.       Reflect on how things happened, good or bad

7.       Put a 100% into everything you do...try to make it different, add an edge.

8.       Don’t lose your focus

9.       Consistency is the key

10.   Create deadlines and stick to them

11.   Invest in yourself

12.   Be open, honest and respectful

There’s so much to learn from this book but if there’s one daily mantra that I have adapted from the book it is –

Say what you mean but don’t be mean and Smile, stand tall and be as adorable as you can.

Way to go Bawse!!

 

H.A.B.I.T.

Do you love binge-watching?

Do you live in the moment and love it that way?

Do you want to make a new habit (waking up early, be on time, visualising...) but you give up in a couple of days?

Do you want to give up on an old not-so happening habit (say too much drinking, just can’t let go binge-watching, too many selfies in the phone no time to clean the phone...)?

Are you lazy?  If the answer is a YES then great because so are all of our brains.

Yes our brain is lazy and if the answer to any or all of the above questions is a yes or maybe then the book ’The power of habit’ – by Charles Duhigg becomes a good read for you.

Here’s the theory -

Our brain is the laziest organ of our body..and smart too..even if you don’t want to admit..it will continue to be smart. The brain is always on a lookout to save effort and do less. Hence it relies on routines where one simple action stimulates several other related subsequent acts without thinking much. Hence once you learn something...like using your phone..doing it or using it in this case, becomes second nature to you..like texting, taking selfies or scrolling through SM.

The author has used simple language..ofcourse with some technical terms..to explain the way our brain functions and why habits are powerful. How habits make us and how we can use habits to be the person we always wanted to be.

Habits make life easier for the brain and in turn for us. The author has used several case studies on individuals, organizations and society to elaborate on the habit loop and what are the causes or triggers for a particular habit/process to happen and how can one mould/change or remove it.

What I want to say is –

The power of habit by Charles Duhigg is a self help book.

Most of us don’t like to read and for the people who like to read, most of us don’t like non-fiction and specifically self-help. I won’t say this book is a game-changer in that way but yes it is definitely something not just to ponder over but put into action ASAP.

You want to change something about yourself...this book has the answer

You want to change something about someone else...this book has the answer.

You want to bring a radical organizational change...this book has it.

You want the society mindset to change...this book has examples to tell you how it was previously done.

Impactful & interesting pointers from the book –

1.       Keystone Habit

2.       Chunking

3.       The habit loop

4.       The understanding of habit and role it plays in generating business revenue

5.       The golden rule of habit change

6.       Bringing a change in the group mindset

I don’t like non-fiction much but I LOVED this book. The case studies kept me hooked and the best of all it has helped me understand myself and gave me a different outlook to look at things. I have even succeeded in some puzzle solving. Yay!!

Read on and share your views.

 

 

Do you know what is a FLASH FICTION?
A dash of romance written by Paullett Golden is (of course) a romantic novel.
The story is set in 1795 - Devonshire. It revolves around Ms. Abigail Walsley - a young aspiring novelist and Mr. Percival Randall - a fun-loving Londoner.. And how a fib becomes a fact. 
The author has described all the chapters in detail and it takes one directly to the 18th century life and lifestyle. The simple language and all the little details set in 18th century makes it easy for one to relate. Though once you start reading it, the end is totally predictable but the storytelling is not.
Though the book is called 'A dash of romance' - but there's a lot of romance from admiring each other silently to taking long routes just to spend more time together to realizing one's life purpose through the other to finally becoming a better person and the teasing camaraderie. It is a well-written and well-said story.
Now, coming to the QOTD...the author has made this an anthology i.e. when you buy the book, you not just read this novel but also a good number of flash fictions.
The flash fictions in this book are fictional stories from 500 - 2000 words. Each is based on a theme and a treat to read. I loved these more as, though the stories are succinct but they give you the complete experience of a good novel. 
A word of caution - given the era it has been written in, it may not be enjoyable for all romance genre lovers but still I'll ask you to read and slow down and feel the love - the charm and wooing of the days gone by. 
I can simply sum it up as - LOVELY!

I will rate it a 4.5/5.

 

What they don’t teach you at Harvard Business School written by Mark H. Mccormack is a non-fiction.

There are so many books to read and it is always tough to decide what to read and what not. Personally I have made some lists for myself which covers the various genres, styles, authors etc so that the most reading I do, is diverse and vivid. And so I go for buying books in a similar fashion. October is a month which I have kept for non-fiction reading. So this is how I picked this book.

As I am not a big fan of non-fiction, I bought this book last Diwali and as in October I have to buy a new non-fiction so I thought I should be done with postponing this one and now just read it. But once picked up, it is a wonderful book to read.

The author is a Yale passed lawyer and runs his own business. The author has divided the book into 3 parts for the ease of understanding and application. He elaborates every point with examples from his real-life experiences which are insightful and given the author’s sense of humor is fun to read too. The book was first published in 1984 and yet all the pointers mentioned are 100% relevant today. The author goes in details from one’s attitude towards oneself, to others, to the approach towards work and to looking towards the long term plan. 

If I have to sum up the content of this book in one sentence, I will say -

                  The better you think you are doing, the greater should be your cause for concern.

                                                               - What they don't teach you at Harvard business school

It is a non-fiction, a self-help book and a keeper for those who work towards the bigger picture. It helps one think, grow and adapt. 

I will rate it 5/5.

When you have it all, do you really have it all?
Kintsugi by Anukriti Upadhyay is a work of fiction.
The novel is a story about women, how they are defining their worlds and how men find it difficult to know and understand their way of defining the world. 

The story revolves around it's three main characters - Haruko, Leela and Meena, the three women coming from entirely different background and going to different destinations yet tied together. What I love the most is the beauty and subtlety with which the author detailed the emotions and feelings that a woman goes through and what all she endures to get what she wants. A woman can be confused, can be ambitious but the society never readily accepts them or comfort them. The society includes the people who are close, too. An independent woman - the phrase is endearing but only a woman knows what it really means.
The language is simple. The author has a strong influence of Japan and it reflects in the writing. The descriptions are vivid and eerily calm...maybe that is how Japan is..I am intrigued to go there. Usually I skip the descriptions but Anukriti didn't let me.
A word of caution - The novel is not for everyone, it is written simply but is way too profound. In the middle section it does seem slow paced and gets a bit puzzling towards the end. I wont suggest this for people seeking romance or just the happy endings because it goes beyond that. Actually it is a practical book and talks about what happens around us and not the hypothetical ideal world. And I will definitely suggest people to read who are inclined towards art, everything about Jewels and Japan is how I look at this book and kind of liked it for these bits. 
Overall, a book that provokes critical acclaim maybe...and hence not everyone's cup of tea. Besides when you see it that way, it is a good good book. It is something which will not just stir your emotions but your mind as well.
Ill rate it a 4.5/5.

                                                   

P.S.  - The book is reviewed as part of the Blogchatter book review program.

Do you believe in haunted places?
Tarikshir by Khayaal Patel is a mystery/fiction.
The story revolves around Rudra, the newly crowned King of Devangarh and the secret of Tarikshir - a ghost or a demon or... nobody knows what.
The author has written the book in simple language. His storytelling is detailed yet not boring and leaves good enough instances for imagination. The characters are well placed. The tone and style of each character is distinct and takes transitions as needed along the storyline.
This been Khayaal Patel's first book, the storytelling is impressive. As the book is a thriller it does keeps you on edge with the mystery but the subtle love story or I should say, the hint of budding love and its nuances, is what impressed me too. All credit to the author for not letting the love story overpower the crux of the book.
If you read the book closely there are several lessons too. Though these lessons are for the king but they are still applicable to our current situation. One of my favorites is -
"Every weapon has two facets - the weapon and the object that powers it."
So what I like, the story, the characters and the twist...I like almost everything about the book except it's cover. The cover, though related to the book does not relate to the story and its mystery. Any day the cover could have been better leading to more people picking onto this one.
I will rate it a 4.5 /5. 
I will say don't look at the cover, just pick it up. It is a nice easy and engaging read and it may make you want to research somethings further.

Are you someone who trusts easily or you find it hard to trust people? 
Faith and Beloved is written by Kochery C Shibu is a thriller. 
'When you trusted ones betray you, you must learn to turn betrayal in to trust'. 
The story starts with a murder. Tony D'souza is murdered and Alice is on a run. Alice finds two underworld men reaching the flat just as she tries to escape. Well, I cannot even write the blurb and the author has written the entire thriller so intricately. 
So the story starts with a murder. And then the author lays out the characters and the story that led to the murder, chapter by chapter. So with the first two chapters the story has just begun and it doesn’t make full sense. But as one reads the following chapters everything starts making sense. As the name suggests, it is about love and treachery... and the author uses the entire plot to explain how one thing leads to another and how we all are interconnected. 
The story is thorough and well laid. The events are linked to real life events that happened in India like – Mumbai Taj hotel terror attack, demonitization. So it keeps one on the edge as well as makes one assume more than once that it might actually be a true story. 
At the beginning, the story seems confusing but as one gets to know the characters the plot becomes clear and the story line interesting. Every character is given proper respect, as in he/she gets a chapter and the chapter details on how the character is related to the plot as well as what was his/her point of view during the incident or situation. So for every incident and situation the thought of all the concerned parties is well laid out. It is like a puzzle and every chapter is a piece of the puzzle. 
The language is simple but I hate those editing misses of grammar, font style and even spellings. But yes, the storyline is amazing, engrossing and hence the glitches can be ignored. I loved it from cover to cover. It would have been a perfect 5/5 sans the editing. 
I will rate it 4.5 out of 5.

Life – the more you understand, the more you realise, you don’t understand.

Tarkash, written by Javed Akhtar, genre - poetry.

The book is in Hindi and Urdu and I really don’t like writing the review in English but this is the medium which can reach masses, so be it.

Tarkash is a collection of gazals and poems. Mr. Javed Akhtar has written down the life phases he went through, his sorrows, his joys, his life in general and his opinions about people and situations.

The book starts with Javed sahab’s introduction of self and this is the best ’ABOUT ME’ I have read to date. Written by the master storyteller, the about me is a story in itself. Written in clear language and with full honesty is what puts through the real emotions from paper to the reader. It is indeed a story unveiling in front of ones eyes.

The gazals and poems bring one close to the reality which was prevalent then and is even prevalent now. This context and content connection is what will draw and connect readers of all generations. Several pieces are close to my heart, sharing a few here...

A must read for a reader as well as a writer.

I will rate it a  4/5.